“NEW CHOPPERS, boots on the ground, more co-ordination, and increased resources.” These were some of the steps Canada has taken to halt the flow of fentanyl across the border to America, said the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, on March 3rd. Just 13 grams of the stuff was seized by American border authorities in January, down 97% from the same month in 2024. Nevertheless, hours later President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China in order, he said, to force those countries to stop drugs “pouring into our country”.
This article appeared in the International section of the print edition under the headline “The tech bros selling drugs by drone”
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Sweden is banning OnlyFans content as the lines around sex work blur
It is meekly welcoming the new sheriff’s vigilante justice
The answer matters more than you think
Donald Trump prefers deals to regime change
After decades of rising secularism, Christianity is holding its ground—and gaining among the young